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View synonyms for

inspire

[ in-spahyuhr ]

verb (used with object)

inspired, inspiring.
  1. to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence:

    His courage inspired his followers.

  2. to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.):

    to inspire confidence in others.

  3. to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc.:

    to inspire a person with distrust.

  4. to influence or impel:

    Competition inspired her to greater efforts.

  5. to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does:

    They were inspired by a belief in a better future.

  6. to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence:

    writings inspired by God.

  7. to guide or control by divine influence.
  8. to prompt or instigate (utterances, acts, etc.) by influence, without avowal of responsibility.
  9. to give rise to, bring about, cause, etc.:

    a philosophy that inspired a revolution.

  10. to take (air, gases, etc.) into the lungs in breathing; inhale.
  11. Archaic.
    1. to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually followed by into ).
    2. to breathe into or upon.


verb (used without object)

inspired, inspiring.
  1. to give inspiration.
  2. to inhale.

inspire

/ ɪˈ貹ɪə /

verb

  1. to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon (a person); animate or invigorate
  2. tr; foll by with or to; may take an infinitive to arouse (with a particular emotion or to a particular action); stir
  3. tr to prompt or instigate; give rise to

    her beauty inspired his love

  4. tr; often passive to guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration
  5. to take or draw (air, gas, etc) into the lungs; inhale
  6. archaic.
    tr
    1. to breathe into or upon
    2. to breathe life into
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ辱پ, adjective
  • ˈ辱Բ, adverb
  • ˈ辱, noun
  • ˈ辱, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ·辱··پ [in-, spahyuhr, -, uh, -tiv, in, -spi-rey-tiv], adjective
  • ·辱İ noun
  • ·辱iԲ· adverb
  • i·辱 verb (used with object) preinspired preinspiring
  • d··辱iԲ adjective
  • i·辱 verb reinspired reinspiring
  • ܲi·辱iԲ adjective
  • un·辱iԲ· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inspire1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English inspiren, from Latin Բī “to breathe upon, breathe into,” equivalent to in- in- 2( def ) + ī “to breathe”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inspire1

C14 (in the sense: to breathe upon, blow into): from Latin Բī, from ī to breathe
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The action from Democrats inspired a wave of criticism about the party’s priorities during the hearing and on social media.

From

“That’s how I gained confidence. Now I want to inspire kids because I love being a role model.”

From

“He inspires because he’s outspoken and true to himself.”

From

"Each one offers a distinctive experience, showing the endless creativity and care that goes into making museums inspiring and exciting spaces for everyone," she noted, speaking on behalf of the award judges.

From

That moment is one she looks back on with immense pride, though it was a photograph of her taken with her younger son that day that would inspire what followed.

From

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